Spring Break had arrived and everyone at Remy's school were happy to have their week off. Remy was just as excited. However, he also had an appointment with his counselor, Dr. Coyote.

On Friday morning, his mother took him to his office. They sat in the waiting room. When Remy was called in, he went straight to Dr. Coyote's office.

Dr. Coyote greeted him and shook hands. Remy sat down on the sofa and they began their meeting.

Dr. Coyote had some questions to ask him. He asked him about school, about his friends and his home life. Remy answered him calmly and without hesitation.

"Well," he said, "I'm doing alright in school. I've been doing very well in history and reading. I've been doing okay in science, but I still struggle with math every now and then."

Dr. Coyote took down notes on his pad. Remy continued. "I get along really well with my friends. We're pretty close. Though there's a few times that we've argued and gotten angry over."

"Like what?" asked Dr. Coyote.

Remy told him about the time they got lost in the woods and how he managed to lead them back out.

Dr. Coyote nodded approvingly. "I'm very impressed, Remy. You've shown good leadership skills and critical thinking. And your friends seem to really admire you."

Remy blushed slightly. "Yeah, I guess they do."

"What else have you done for them? Or what else have they done for you?"

Remy concentrated hard. He told him about the incident at the Winter Dance.

Dr. Coyote chuckled. "That must have been embarrassing."

Remy nodded. "But I did forgive Bradley and Stephanie, though it was not easy."

"I agree," said Dr. Coyote. "I'm actually surprised you managed to forgive them so quickly. Most kids your age take much longer for them to get over something like that."

Remy smiled and nodded. "You know," he said, "I think I feel the same way about them. Though I usually prefer to be alone, sometimes I really like having them around. Sometimes Bradley feels more like a brother than a best friend. As do most of them."

Dr. Coyote nodded. "I'm sure they feel the same way about you."

Remy's tail wagged with delight.

"Now," said Dr. Coyote. "What about your mom and dad?"

Remy thought hard. "My mom and dad are a little..." Remy made a gesture with his hands. "Different."

"Different how?"

Remy tried to keep himself from laughing. "Well, my mom can be a bit scatter-brained." Remy told him about the time his mother couldn't find her car keys.

Dr. Coyote laughed. "Oh, dear. That must have been embarrassing. And what about your dad?"

"My dad complains a lot at home," said Remy. "He likes to play his guitar to help him relax. But he sometimes gets really annoyed
over anything he doesn't like. Like something he sees in the news or when something is out of place at home."

"I see," said Dr. Coyote. "But do you have any issues with them?"

"Not really," said Remy. "Though there are times where they make me crazy. Like my mom getting impatient while helping with my homework or traveling together to some random place. Or my dad constantly nagging and complaining about the smallest problem."

"Families are like that," said Dr. Coyote. "I wouldn't consider them different, but just somewhat eccentric. Believe me, I've dealt with people in far worse situations."

Remy nodded.

Dr. Coyote looked at his watch. "Well," he said. "Times almost up. Do you have any questions or anything else to share?"

"No," said Remy. Not that I can think of."

"Okay," said Dr. Coyote. "Then I'll see you again sometime later."

They shook hands and Remy returned to his mother waiting for him. He suddenly felt as if he were walking on air as he made his way through the hallway.